Re*lin"quish (-kw?sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relinquished (-kw?sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Relinquishing.] [OF. relinquir, L. relinquere to leave behind; pref. re- re + linquere to leave. See Loan, and cf. Relic, Relict.]
1.
To withdraw from; to leave behind; to desist from; to abandon; to quit; as, to relinquish a pursuit.
We ought to relinquish such rites.
Hooker.
They placed Irish tenants upon the lands relinquished by the English.
Sir J. Davies.
2.
To give up; to renounce a claim to; resign; as, to relinquish a debt.
Syn. -- To resign; leave; quit; forsake; abandon; desert; renounce; forbar; forego. See Resign.
© Webster 1913.